FREE CONCERTS ON THE WATERFRONT – The Hudson River PAC (Performing Arts Center) concert series in Weehawken has scheduled “an amazing Flamenco concert featuring great musicians and dancers from here and Spain” for Aug. 14 in the Lincoln Harbor section, overlooking the Hudson River. The director of the group is a well-known Flamenco artist who happens to reside in Jersey City. Featured guest artists will include dancers Auxi Fernandez and Oscar Valero (pictured) and singer Jesus Montoya. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. Concerts are co sponsored by the Hudson Reporter.

In the wake of the tragic death of 8-month-old Angela Paredes, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) called upon federal transportation authorities to investigate Sphinx Transportation as to whether drivers are being properly trained to safely transport passengers commuting to New York City through New Jersey communities.

“As a father, I can’t help but feel the tragedy of Angela Paredes’ death very personally – and my deepest sympathies and prayers are with her family, who can only be heartbroken at this painful time,” said Menendez.

“While the driver is facing criminal charges, I have my own questions about the company that employed him. My staff has been in touch with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to make sure they are assisting the state and local investigations.

“We have been assured that FMCSA will be making a visit to the company soon and review all of their operations including their procedures to screen and train drivers. The people who walk along Boulevard East, and all people in New Jersey, deserve answers, and I am confident that local, state, and federal authorities working together will find those answers and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.”

National Night Out activities set for Union City

Union City’s National Night Out festivities will take place this Tuesday, Aug. 6, at 6 p.m. on Summit Avenue from Eighth to Fifteenth streets.

The event will include live performances, activities for children, free hot dogs, ices, soda, and more.

Free transportation will be offered from various other sites around town, beginning at 5 p.m.

Future ‘Sunset Sunday’ events to take place at Donnelly Park

The town of West New York has scheduled several “Sunset Sundays” at parks around town, featuring free musical performances and an art walk.

This Sunday’s event, previously scheduled to take place at the Birdhouse on Boulevard East, has been canceled due to the accident on Tuesday.

On Aug. 18 and 25, at 6 p.m. the events will take place at Donnelly Park 60th and Blvd East.

For more information or a chance to showcase your talent, please contact (201) 295-5101 or (201) 295-5121.

Coupon book fundraiser

United Cerebral Palsy of Hudson County, Inc. is raising funds to support programs for the developmentally disabled by selling Entertainment Books.

The price is $25 for the Monmouth, Bergen, Essex, Morris and Middlesex counties books. Each edition includes hundreds of discount coupons.

For more information, or to order a book, call Peter LaBarbiera at (201) 662-8120

Meadowlands Commission offering canoe trip

The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission is sponsoring a three-hour guided canoe tour exploring the Hackensack River and its marshes on Saturday, Aug. 10 at 8:30 a.m.

Paddlers will learn the basics of salt marsh ecology and enjoy the natural and man-made scenery while rowing past wetlands and down creeks. The tour departs from Mill Creek Point Park in Secaucus.

The trip is $15 per person, and is for ages 10 and up. Pre-registration is required.

For more information, or to register, go to www.njmeadowlands.gov/environment/tours.html or call (201) 460-4640.

Butterfly Day a hit at NJMC

Nearly 600 people, from kids to amateur photographers to seasoned enthusiasts, attended the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s Fourth Annual Butterfly Day on Sunday, July 28, in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst.

The day’s activities included butterfly walks, talks, and crafts, scavenger hunts, and a butterfly costume contest.

A pipevine swallowtail and a spicebush swallowtail were among the most uncommon of the 17 species spotted.